Selecting Optional subject is perhaps the most important decision of CSE journey. A score of 300+ in Optional can get you in top 10. At the same time, poor Optional score means you are out of list (if GS score is poor as well).

My own experience:
I am from Computer Engg. background and hence had nothing to pick from optionals as such. I went for Geography because my mentors and seniors advised so.

I got 156, 285, 192 and 276 in Geography in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017. Few things to note here: no 300+ score in optional, alternate butchering and no IAS rank.

Options for you:

Graduation subject if available, if studied well, if scoring and consistent (not butchered).

If graduation subject unavailable, Aspirants generally opt for Humanities/Popular Optionals. Sociology, Geography, PSIR, PubAd, History, Philosophy and Anthro make for most selected subjects. 1000s attempt Mains with these subjects. If 2500 out of 15000 write Mains with ‘X’ Optional then ‘X’ is bound to score less or get butchered or normalized. Else if  ‘X’ scores even 275 or 275+ on average then huge chunk of Interview candidates would come from ‘X’ and this would be bias against other Optionals. Hence, popular optional shall not be selected blindly. Check last 5 year trends, check if it is butchered or consistent, if it is scoring, check syllabus and questions etc. On basis on this and in my view (which can be subjective), safe subjects are PSIR and Socio. Geography and PubAd are butchered too frequently, Anthro has peaked too much off late and could be butchered soon, Philosophy and History have performed average in last few years. I would urge Aspirants to do such analysis and make an informed decision.

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There are some scoring Optionals like Literature subjects (done average and below par recently), Technical subjects like PCM, Medical, Law etc (performed well). If one has background in these subjects then these can be considered.

Optional performance of subjects in 2013-2017. (Old Post; 2013-19 Analysis also available now)

Consistent and well performing subjects between 2013-17:

• Law (Butchered in 2016).
• Medical (One of the best. Poorest success rate is 10.2%. Geography’s best is 7.3% :p).
• Anthropology (Consistently doing well. But, might get butchered as more aspirants opting for it).
• Psychology (Consistent subject with lowest performance of 9.8%).
• Management (Over 150+ candidates opted in 2013 & 2014 and subject performed well. But number of candidates and performance, both dipped off late).
• Sociology (Performs beween 8-11%. Average subject but not butchered).
• PSIR (Below average in 2013, 14 & 15 but did well in 16 & 17).

Optional performance of subjects in 2013-19

Popular optionals performance between 2013-19:

Link with GS Papers and Current Affairs is very relevant criteria to make an informed selection of Optional.  Popular Optionals are ones that are more GS oriented but as mentioned above, they have there own drawbacks. If such subject is selected, I would urge Aspirants to make their GS so strong that they score 420+ in GS irrespective of kind of checking. This will ensure that low score in Optional (if at all) is compensated by high GS score.

Understandability is another aspect to be looked at. If you are unable to understand the subject then other factors do not matter. You shall not select that particular subject. This shall not be confused with Interest in subject. Interest can be cultivated if the end goal is to get top 10 rank! Interest is just a myth. Once you read a subject twice, you automatically develop interest in same.

I mentioned about checking syllabus. Many Aspirants look for subject with limited syllabus. But this shall not be criteria to select Optional. Only if you have too less time to prepare, then you should go for Optional with less syllabus.

Availability or unavailability of study materials does not matter in current times. Everything is available on net and in markets.

Availability of study groups shall not be basis of your choice. Else, you will always end up selecting popular optional that is selected by 1000 others.

Coachings might tell you that availability of good teacher is important factor. But if you are confident about self study then this factor can be easily negated. If you are planning to join coaching then this becomes relevant. Search for available options, analyze their recent record and know the number of Aspirants who have joined their class. If the number is too high then quality of personal guidance lowers.

Keep in mind the mentioned factors and make an informed choice. ATB!!!